Early the next morning, the testing ground was bustling with people setting up relevant testing instruments.
As the experimental subject participating in the test, Owl abandoned his usual laziness and arrived at the testing ground early, waiting for the test to begin.
The reason he was so cooperative, aside from being awed by the Research Institute's authority, was also related to today's test item. Today's project was not a simple combat power test, but a high-level test involving 'Shinjutsu'.
Before long, the testing site was fully set up.
Amado came before Owl and handed him a test schedule: "This is the content of today's test."
Owl, sitting leisurely, did not get up to take it. Instead, he signaled the subordinate beside him with his eyes.
His subordinate hurriedly stepped forward, respectfully took the test schedule from Amado's hands, and reported the procedure to Owl.
Amado watched this without saying much.
Owl was indeed a clown in his eyes, but in the eyes of ordinary people, and even some Jonin, Owl was already one of the top big shots in the ninja world. The previous ceiling of the ninja world, the Five Kage, likely wouldn't be Owl's match even if they joined forces.
Under these circumstances, Owl naturally didn't lack people seeking his patronage. Moreover, Owl was intentionally recruiting subordinates to build his own small faction. So, less than a week after the ritual ended, a mob of followers had already gathered around Owl.
And this situation was intensifying, causing some researchers to start having ideas.
After listening to his subordinate's report, Owl finally rose slowly with full pomp and said to Amado, "I'm counting on you today!"
Amado nodded slightly: "You don't need to be too nervous!"
Owl, having been seen through, gave a sheepish smile: "I'm not nervous. It's just a test, what's there to be nervous about!"
Amado said: "Let's begin!"
Owl took a deep breath and strode toward the testing ground.
Just as Amado said, Owl was actually very nervous. Whether his strength could go a step further and suppress Eida, Daemon, and Orochimaru in the Research Institute depended on today's 'Shinjutsu' test.
Although his basic abilities like speed, strength, and reaction were on par with Orochimaru, his experience and skills were far inferior to Orochimaru, one of the 'Sannin'. Therefore, his several sparring matches with Orochimaru had all ended in his crushing defeat.
Thus, if he wanted to turn the tables, he could only rely on awakening a 'Shinjutsu'.
In the distance.
Knowing that today was the day to test Owl's 'Shinjutsu', the siblings Eida and Daemon, as well as Orochimaru, had all come to the testing ground.
Eida teased, "Even an idiot like this can survive the ritual. Is there something wrong with the ritual, or is there something wrong with this world?"
Orochimaru smiled: "Perhaps there are problems with both!"
Eida glanced at Orochimaru: "Are you not worried at all?"
Orochimaru asked: "Should I be worried?"
Eida said: "Before this, you were the only guy who survived the ritual. Now with this idiot, your importance has dropped quite a bit! And this idiot seems a bit restless; does this really not matter to you?"
Orochimaru said: "He's just an idiot. If he really crosses the line, as long as the higher-ups issue an order, I can personally take action to dispose of him."
Daemon suddenly let out a sound of surprise: "Eh, you seem very happy?"
"Hehe!"
Orochimaru's expression changed, and he chuckled twice to cover it up.
Just now, when he mentioned disposing of Owl, the thought of 'absorbing' Owl's abilities moved in his heart. Although this thought flashed by in an instant, he didn't expect it to be sensed by Daemon.
"Is it that I triggered the 'Killing Intent Reflection'?"
Orochimaru looked thoughtful.
It should be known that his ability of 'Absorption' was not just targeted at Owl; everyone possessing Shibai Otsutsuki's power was on his 'menu', including Eida and Daemon beside him.
When he had the thought of 'absorbing' Owl, his subconscious likely also harbored the thought of 'absorbing' Daemon's abilities, leading to the generation of killing intent, which triggered Daemon's ability.
On the testing ground.
A researcher asked: "Are you ready?"
Owl, standing in the center of the testing ground, nodded: "Bring it on!"
Soon, the test officially began.
Tests involving 'Shinjutsu' were different from general strength tests, speed tests, or combat power tests. Rather than a test, it was more appropriate to call it an experiment.
Because the core of 'Shinjutsu' is chakra, and the Research Institute's current understanding of 'Shinjutsu' is only superficial, the only way to determine what kind of 'Shinjutsu' Owl has awakened is to conduct various chakra tests.
Boom!
In an instant, a blast of chakra bombarded Owl's body, letting out a loud explosion.
The purpose of this round of the most basic chakra bombardment tests was to stimulate Owl's body with high-intensity chakra, forcing his body to react instinctively, thereby activating the 'Shinjutsu' hidden within him.
After a long time, Owl knelt on one knee on the testing ground, gasping for breath heavily.
After one round of testing, he had taken more than a dozen chakra bombardments. His body was still smoking, yet the anticipated 'Shinjutsu' did not awaken.
After getting up, Owl roared at the surrounding researchers: "Damn it, why hasn't it awakened yet!"
Facing the roaring Owl, the researchers averted their gazes. The might of a 'Six Paths Level' combatant was not something ordinary people could withstand.
Amado ordered: "Proceed to the next round of testing!"
Seeing Amado speak, Owl had to restrain his temper and stood back in the center of the field.
The second round of testing was a Sealing Jutsu test. The process involved using various sealing jutsus to seal Owl, using the seals to stimulate his instincts and draw out the 'Shinjutsu' hidden within him.
After another round of torment, Owl was sealed by more than a dozen types of sealing jutsu in turn, but the result was still a failure to awaken any 'Shinjutsu'.
By this time, Owl was a bit panicked. He came to the sidelines and asked Amado: "What is going on?! Why haven't I awakened a Shinjutsu yet?"
Amado said unhurriedly: "Who told you that you would definitely awaken a Shinjutsu?"
Owl said: "Didn't Orochimaru awaken the 'Shinjutsu Chakra Mode'? And Eida and Daemon, they both have Shinjutsu!"
Amado shook his head: "Orochimaru's 'Shinjutsu Chakra Mode' is an advanced application of chakra; essentially, it is not a Shinjutsu. Like you, he currently hasn't awakened a Shinjutsu!"
Owl said: "Then what about Eida and Daemon? Why did they awaken Shinjutsu?"
Amado said indifferently: "They are special!"
The deeper the research went, the more Amado confirmed the uniqueness of the siblings Eida and Daemon. They were currently the only two people who mastered Shinjutsu, and they did so without undergoing the ritual baptism.
Owl shouted angrily: "I don't care about that. I want to at least master the 'Shinjutsu Chakra Mode' like Orochimaru!"